The bad news is that the Coal Shed Art Studios is moving. The good news is also that the Coal Shed Art Studios is moving. Next weekend. And the 18 or so resident artists could use some volunteer movers.

There’s pizza in it for you, if you can help, says resident artist and organizer Erin Bakke.

When Lennar Mare Island decided to remodel the old Navy coal sheds, and move the Mare Island Brewing Co.’s operations in there, the artists knew a change was in store for Coal Sheds, at its location since being established by Tim Rose in 1999 — the same time its longest running artist, Adam Musto, arrived.

News of the pending move was admittedly a little nerve-racking, Bakke said.

“When Lennar Mare Island let us know the coal sheds were going to be redone, we knew we were going to have to relocate,” she said. “But, they kept telling us not to worry, that they would find us someplace else and accommodate our requests, and they did.”

The new space, also on the Mare Island waterfront, in Building 515, at 110 Pintado — a former Navy warehouse, part of which was more recently used by the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) — is being transformed into work spaces for 18 artists, plus some other things the old space couldn’t accommodate, Bakke said.

“There will be a gallery area, and more common space for events, workshops, a flex space to serve multiple functions as a second gallery, a place to host classes, workshops, music or community events,” she said. “We’re working to maximize the function of the space.”

Some of the Coal Shed artists aren’t making the move, but four new ones were added, Bakke said.

The new space will accommodate an eclectic group, including painters, woodworkers, metalworkers, print-makers, photographers, videographers, sculptors, textile artists and more, she said.

Moving days are Aug. 18 and 19, and will likely engender a range of emotions in the artists — especially those who have been there a long time.

“We will miss all the accumulated memories, sketches pinned on walls, the comic battles of artists vs. pigeons and raccoons, the stories of all the artists who have inhabited the space over the years, and of course the interesting history and architecture of the building itself,” Bakke said. “It has been a great, open, funky place to make art and have exhibits. We’ll miss the big overhang that provided a nice protected gathering place.”

But the new space, which can also qualify as funky, has lots to recommend it, too.

“Lennar worked with us to find a space that met our needs and desires,” she said. “We are still on the waterfront, a high priority to us for creative work and for its attractiveness to visitors. The new space is bigger, allowing us to add a few more artists and create generous community work space, and the roof doesn’t leak.”

The new space offers better parking options, and comes with some wildlife, she said.

“An osprey is making a nest at the same time we are making ours, and there are swallows who live under the pier. The name of the street we are on is Pintado, which means ‘painted.’ All these are auspicious signs.”

Local sculptor JeanCheri said she’s looking forward to having other artists around her work space.

“I like the community of it, working with a group of dedicated artists,” she said. “The sheer luxury of having that much space is wonderful.”

While JeanCheri still lives at the Temple Art Loft and will maintain her space there, the Coal Shed Art Studios provides room to expand.

“There are fewer limiting rules, and to have that space, the communal space and there are big tools that can be used, and that’s just wonderful to me,” she said. “I always enjoyed being at the Coal Shed. Even before I moved to Vallejo, it was the first place I visited, and I really liked that community they had and when this opportunity came up, I jumped on it.”

The larger space will mean more of JeanCheri’s sculptures now hidden away in storage will see the light of day, she said.

“I can work bigger. I don’t have to stay small. I can do more work like I did for the art of peace show,” she said. “It’s just a great thing.”

You’ll get no argument from Bakke on that.

“Most importantly, we still have an affordable place to create art, and we get to continue being an important part of Vallejo’s creative life,” she said. “It feels good that our continued existence has been ensured by Lennar. They showed they value the arts.”

The first show in the new space is planned for mid October and will feature guest artist Cherol Ockrassa’s #MeToo lipstick art, and the Coal Shed artists look forward to this year’s Vallejo Open Studios event, Bakke said.

Meanwhile, the artists could use some helping hands for moving day. If you’re available, call Bakke at (702) 339-4249.

With the Times-Herald since 1999, Rachel Raskin-Zrihen has been a reporter, writer and columnist for several print and online publications for nearly 30 years. She is the married mother of two grown sons and lives locally.